If you suddenly, unexpectedly, on the main page of your Joomla! received a message : „Warning: strtotime() [ function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system’s timezone settings (…)”, don't worry, and do not panic.

One of the major conveniences of Gavern Framework is a simplified way to create code fragments that work as typical plugins requested during onAfterRender event. In this article we will show you how to write a simple plugin.

One of the major advantages of such a solution is the fact that we have a possibility of creating simple parameters for our template overwritten modules and components. To exemplify this, we will create a code which hides article titles in selected articles (the categories can be chosen from template options level).

In "Advanced Settings" tab, we will find options not only connected with template settings but also with Gavern Framework – a comfortable tool to create templates for Joomla! 1.6.

In the second part we will focus on modifications of template's code itself which allow to gain modifications impossible to achieve by changes made in administrative panel.

Today, I will try to solve the common problem with site's background change according to subpages which should be reduced to some extend in Joomla! 1.6 and where there would be a possibility to change template's settings for particular subpages (now, we have to create copies of a template given and assign it to particular subpage).

Today's entry will be connected with extensions styling for Joomla! It offers us access to head section of a document, thanks to which it is possible to add script or CSS style from a module/component level. Some developers eagerly use this option in order to e.g. avoid embedding link elements inside body section of a storefront (which, by the way, causes validation errors). I will describe access and operations on head sections template for Joomla! next time as it is quite important and wide topic. But for this moment a little trick which can be useful while creating, e.g. a template for mobile devices.

Some code fragments in a template often repeat; there is a additional structure between a code creating template's configuration and a code generated by a module in the form of additional containers. They are used e.g. in title module presentation, in creating rounded edges around a module or containers famous for debugging template mode. Joomla! offers six styles – their detailed descriptions and structures may be found here.

Sometimes some additional elements or different structure than a standard are needed. Of course it is also possible with Joomla!; we can create as many own module styles which fulfill our needs as we want to create.

While creating a template for Joomla! we can define not only the main page and subpages look but also the look of standard error messages or information about storefront's maintenance works. If needed, we can also define our own templates which fulfill certain conditions, e.g. which are needed to exchange data with AJAX use. It can be done thanks to variable tmpl which is in address.